A review of the flatfishes (Pleuronectifomes = Heterosomata) of the Gulf of Thailand and its Tributaries in Thailand

Abstract

         Fifty species in sixteen genera of flatfishes (Order Pleuronectifomes or Heterosomata) are shown or suspected to be present in the Gulf of Thailand and its tributary waters in Thailand. These fishes are in the Psettodidae, Bothidae, Pleuronectidae, Soleidae, and Cynoglossidae, which comprise all of the currently recognized pleuronectiform families. Many of the species are of commercial significance.

         Reported for the first time in these waters are: Arnaglossus aspilos (Bleeker); Grammatobothus polyophthalmus (Bleeker); Pseudorhombus dupliciocellatus Regan; P. eleuatus Ogilby; P. quinquocellatus Weber & de Beaufort; Brachypleura nouae-zee-landiae Günther; Samaris cristatus Gray; Aseraggodes dubius Weber; Heteromycteris oculus (Alcock); Liachirus melanospilus (Bleeker); Solea ouata Richardson; Synaptura altipinnis Alcock; S. carnuta Kaup; S. quagga (Kaup); Cynoglossus cynoglossus (Hamilton & Buchanan); C. oligolepis (Bleeker); C. sibogae Weber; C. sumatranus (Bleeker); C. uersicolor Alcock.

         Methods of counting and measuring are described and a key to the species is provided. For each species a descriptive synopsis si given along with synonymies of technical names and English and Thai common names. Also included are statements of diagnostic features and geographic distribution. Six species are known only from presumedly freshwater: Achiroides leucorhynchos Bleeker; Synaptura aenea Smith; S. harmandi Sauvage; S. panoides Bleeker; Cynoglossus microlepis (Bleeker); C. xiphoideus Günther. In addition, two species occur in both marine and brackish waters: Synaptura commersoniana (Lacepede) and S. arientalis (Bloch & Schneider). The remaining species are exclusively marine.